Vikes field hockey draw even with UBC in final road game

VANCOUVER, B.C. – The University of Victoria Vikes women’s field hockey team had their first goal scored against them in seven games after a 1-1 draw with the UBC Thunderbirds on Oct. 11 in Vancouver. The tie snaps the Vikes’ five-game undefeated and shutout streak to now sit with a 5-0-1 record, while UBC are 2-3-1.

Thunderbird defender Sophie Jones got the home side on the scoreboard early, finding the net in the seventh minute of play, while Victoria’s Amanda Kurianowicz’s deflection replied for the Vikes in the 58th.

Jones’ goal was the first surrendered by Victoria in Canada West league play this year. Off a penalty corner, Jones fired a sweep to the bottom right corner to put UBC up 1-0. That was the scoreline at halftime but the Vikes had good opportunities throughout the first 35 minutes but were turned aside every time by Thunderbirds goalkeeper Rowan Harris. Jones’ shot was UBC’s lone chane of the game, while Harris made several outstanding saves to keep the Thunderbirds ahead.

Just two minutes after the second-half starting whistle, Victoria’s Lizzie Yates had a one-on-one chance against Harris, who lunged right to make a great stick save.

In the 22nd minute, Kurianowicz drove into the scoring circle and lifted a shot on net, but Harris made the stop with her glove.

The Vikes had several more quality opportunities as Harris was forced to make a nice kick save on a shot by Annie Walters-Shumka in the 51st minute.

The visitors finally broke through in the 58th minute, as Kurianowicz deflected a Kathleen Leahy blast from the top of the circle that beat Harris inside the left post.

UBC had a chance with just over three and a half minutes before the final whistle. Off a penalty corner, Sophie Jones hit a low, hard shot towards teammate Sarah Keglowitsch for a tip, but she couldn’t get her stick on the ball and it just went wide left of the goal.

The Thunderbirds will try to clinch second place in the Canada West standings and a berth to the CIS Women’s Field Hockey Championship when they host the 0-4 Calgary Dinos next weekend in Vancouver. The Vikes will enjoy a bye before closing out the conference slate with two games against Calgary, Oct. 24-25 on the UVic campus.